One child dead, another critical; Irving mom in custody

IRVING — A woman called 911 Monday afternoon and said she had harmed her children, apparently using some kind of wire.

When Irving police arrived at the Wind Tree Apartments in the 3100 block of Esters Road, they found two children — a boy and a girl — who were still alive, the victims of what investigators called a “strangulation assault.”

Police said five-year-old Zain Akhter was taken to Baylor Medical Center at Irving and died shortly after arrival. His two-year-old sister, Faryaal Akhter, was reported to be in very critical condition at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

Police said Saiqa Akhter, 30, was removed from the premises and taken away in a squad car. Police are calling it a capital murder investigation, but have released no additional details.

The possible motive for the attack was unknown.

Relatives said the family involved was from Pakistan. Neighbors said they had lived at the Irving apartment complex for less than a month.

Police cordoned off two buildings at the apartments during their investigation.